Environmental Guidelines

We aim to steadily reduce our resource consumption and improve our environmental impact. To this end, we take on board suggestions from both within and outside the university. We define environmental protection measures within the framework of, and in line with, our sustainability strategy and our climate protection plan, which we implement progressively, review and update regularly. To this end, we establish and maintain structures for the continuous measurement and analysis of our resource consumption – including as part of our ISO 50001-compliant energy management system – as well as for the regular reporting of our sustainability activities. We create the framework and scope for members of the HM community that enable them to act in an environmentally responsible manner.

We do not view sustainability merely as the transfer of knowledge, but as a holistic approach and an invitation to play an active part. Through campus-wide events and targeted, clearly visible information on environmental protection, we aim to encourage students and staff to engage with the environmental impact of their actions, both on campus and in their private lives. We promote positive environmental behaviour amongst all members of the university community, create incentives for personal initiative and expect everyone to play their part responsibly.

We encourage student involvement in sustainability and embed sustainable thinking and action within our degree programmes. In doing so, we prioritise the teaching of fundamental knowledge on environmentally responsible behaviour. Environmentally responsible and resource-conserving behaviour, both on and off campus, should become second nature to our students. It is our stated aim to educate people who are committed to sustainability. We intend to achieve this, amongst other things, through interdisciplinary projects in the field of environmental protection (on our own campus).

We involve our staff members in the implementation of our environmental protection objectives and measures. The aim is to enable them to put environmental protection into practice and lead by example in their own workplaces.

We view communication as an active component of sustainable action. We communicate our environmental guidelines transparently, clearly and on an ongoing basis, both internally and externally. In doing so, we highlight the measures we are taking, the progress we are making and the challenges we face; we set out specific courses of action and create opportunities for active participation. Aware of our role as a role model, we communicate in an authentic, transparent and fact-based manner. Through public relations work tailored to specific target groups, we explain the bigger picture, make the impact tangible and encourage people to take responsibility. We share our knowledge and experience across the university and within external networks, thereby contributing to the further development of sustainable structures both within and outside the university.

We are committed to actively complying with the environmental legislation applicable to us, as well as other binding requirements. We support this through appropriate processes and structures, such as occupational safety, occupational health and psychological support, First Aiders (both workplace-based and psychological), workplace health management, the organisation of health events, membership of AGUM e.V. (Occupational, Health and Environmental Management), the implementation of protective measures – particularly when handling hazardous substances – and the preparation of risk assessments that also take into account psychological stress arising from work. Occupational health and safety are therefore a top priority at HM. The fulfilment of these tasks is a key management responsibility, from which organisational, monitoring and implementation responsibilities are derived. We organise teaching, research, transfers and administration in such a way as to reduce environmental impact and protect the health and safety of staff and students in the long term. In doing so, we take a holistic view of health, giving equal consideration to physical, mental and psychological aspects. This includes, amongst other things, measures to prevent overwork, burnout, bullying and addiction, as well as the active promotion of an appreciative and respectful working environment throughout the institution, including communication and training in this regard.

To promote climate justice and intergenerational equity, we are actively reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in line with our Integrated Climate Protection Strategy for Hochschule München. Our climate protection targets are set out in

• Scope 1: A reduction in emissions of at least 80 per cent by 2030 and near-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
• Scope 2: Achieving near-net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and reducing energy consumption by at least 2 per cent annually.
• Scope 3: A reduction in emissions of at least 60% by 2040.

We operate with the aim of avoiding, reducing and optimising the use of resources:

We recognise the significant role that energy plays in the use of resources and consider it our responsibility to prioritise renewable energy sources and to expand their generation at HM. The ongoing optimisation of energy use and efficiency, including the upgrading of infrastructure and the implementation of demand-driven control mechanisms, is a key priority for our university.

We raise awareness amongst HM staff about water consumption and potential ways to save water, and we use water sparingly and in an environmentally responsible manner. For example, we use rainwater as much as possible for watering.

We ensure that waste is minimised as far as possible and that unavoidable waste is collected separately, recycled or reused, or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner; we also support these efforts with appropriate communication measures aimed at changing the behaviour of HM staff.

When purchasing goods and services, we aim to fulfil our environmental and social commitments. Reduce, Reuse & Recycle are our guiding principles. We take sustainability criteria and the principles of the circular economy into account. To this end, we refer, for example, to verified eco-labels, give preference to reusable and recycled products, and ensure that the products we procure have the longest possible shelf life and useful life. In addition, we aim for short transport routes and favour regional products.

We aim to reduce emissions caused by transport. This includes the daily journeys made by HM staff to and between our sites. To this end, we are, for example, optimising the infrastructure for cycling. Furthermore, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with visitor traffic, as well as business and training trips and excursions. To ensure that such travel is as climate-friendly as possible, we actively adhere to guidelines on climate-friendly travel.

We want to protect biodiversity on the campus and are also aiming to significantly increase it. Workshops, seminars and initiatives, as well as partnerships with nature conservation organisations to develop our green spaces, help to enhance biodiversity on the campus. Through these efforts, and by involving local schools and nurseries, we promote knowledge transfer and raise awareness of biodiversity.